Jimenez reveals secret to golf longevity
And we delve into the bag of the oldest European Tour champion
In a year which has seen an emerging group of youngsters shine through on both the European and PGA Tour, Miguel Angel Jiménez reminded us this game is unlike any other.
At 48 years and 318 days old – some 24 years since starting out Tour – the charismatic Spaniard smashed the record books by becoming the oldest European Tour champion when landing his hat-trick in the Hong Kong Open.
And when asked about the secret of his longevity, Jiménez gave many of us reason to celebrate.
“This is maybe the olive oil in my joints and the nice Rioja wine and those things keep you fit and flexible,” he said. “The most important thing, I do what I like to do in my life and golf has given me all of this pleasure.
“I still love it and I think that is fantastic, to love what you’re doing and enjoy yourself, keep fit, keep working myself a little bit and stretching a lot. That’s the main thing to do to compete with the new guns.”
Jiménez, who is 284 days older than previous record holder Des Smyth, has now won 12 of his 19 European Tour tournaments in his 40s. And he’s not prepared to rest of his laurels.
“It’s very nice, I hope this is not the last one,” said the World No.59, who has now won three titles at Hong Kong Golf Club in the last eight years.
“I really love the golf course – it’s a great course where you have to control the ball very well, it’s not a matter of distance.”
The long-time PING staffer had control in abundance at Fanling, ranking 12th in greens in regulation on 77.8%, all thanks to his new Anser forged irons, Anser fairway wood and Tour wedges.
Jiménez was also laser-like off the tee when finding 76.8% of the fairways with his PING i20 driver and had complete control on the greens by ranking fifth in putts per round with his Anser Milled.
What’s in Jimenez’s bag
Driver: PING i20 (9.5-degree; UST ATTAS T3 60X)
Fairway woods: PING Anser 3-wood (14.5-degree; UST ATTAS T3 70X) and PING i20 5-wood (18-degree; UST ATTAS T3)
Irons (3-PW): PING Anser (Dynamic Gold S3 Superlite)
Wedges: PING Tour Gorge (52- and 60-degree; Dynamic Gold S3 Superlite)
Putter: PING Anser Milled
Grips: Lamkin
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Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
